Grading the NFC East in NFL draft: How does Cowboys' class measure up?

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Brad Loper/Staff Photographer

Dallas Cowboys first round pick Zack Martin talks with area media during a press conference at the Cowboys Training Facility at Valley Ranch Irving, Texas on Friday, May 9, 2014. Saturday is the third day of the NFL Draft, (Brad Loper/The Dallas Morning News)

The NFC East was turned upside-down last season as Philadelphia soared to the top of the division and Washington sank to the bottom. As major changes occurred in the standings, the Giants continued their gradual decline while the Cowboys stayed right where they’ve been since head coach Jason Garrett shed his interim label in 2011. The fortunes of each club can begin to change this weekend during the draft as teams stockpile young players.

Here is a look at how the NFC East clubs fared making their picks:

Dallas Cowboys: B-

Improving the worst defense in the NFL was the Cowboys’ primary objective heading into the draft. Dallas needed disruptive players capable of amplifying the team’s pass rush that had been weakened by the departures of DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher in March. So it was no surprise the Cowboys made a serious effort to grab a defensive end, trading their second- and third-round picks to Washington to move into a better position so they could take Demarcus Lawrence of Boise State. The Cowboys gave up a lot to get Lawrence, and this draft will likely be judged based on his performance.

The choice of Lawrence overshadowed the first-round selection of Zack Martin, the Notre Dame offensive tackle expected to play guard with the Cowboys. Martin was considered a safe pick and should be a fixture on the line charged with protecting 34-year-old quarterback Tony Romo. Martin, Iowa linebacker Anthony Hitchens and Pittsburgh receiver Devin Street fill secondary needs for the Cowboys. Hitchens will serve as a backup option for middle linebacker Sean Lee, who has missed 18 games because of injuries since entering the league in 2010. Street fills the void left by Miles Austin, who was released in March.

Like Austin, he can play on the inside and outside, allowing the Cowboys to be flexible with the deployment of their receivers. Seventh-round picks Ben Gardner, Ahmad Dixon and Will Smith will provide depth for a defense that requires reinforcements and was the area of greatest concern heading into this draft. Overall, this class doesn’t have much star appeal but it supports the infrastructure the Cowboys have built.

Rd., pk., player

Pos.

College

1 (16) Zack Martin

OL

Notre Dame

2 (34) Demarcus Lawrence

DE

Boise State

4 (119) Anthony Hitchens

OLB

Iowa

5 (146) Devin Street

WR

Pittsburgh

7 (231) Ben Gardner

DE

Stanford

7 (238) Will Smith

LB

Texas Tech

7 (248) Ahmad Dixon

SS

Baylor

7 (251) Ken Bishop

DT

No. Illinois

7 (254) Terrance Mitchell

CB

Oregon

Philadelphia Eagles: B

Chip Kelly’s first season in the NFL proved a major success, as he adapted to the pro level and led Philadelphia to a division title. As the Eagles entered the draft, they had few holes to fill. But one of the major voids on their roster existed at the receiver position after Philadelphia released DeSean Jackson in March. So it was no surprise the Eagles sought Jackson’s replacement early in the draft.

Philadelphia invested its second and third picks in wideouts Jordan Matthews of Vanderbilt and Josh Huff of Oregon, the school where Kelly had previously coached. Both Huff and Matthews should be strong additions to an offense ranked second in the NFL last season. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles found capable players to help their suspect secondary.

Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins and Stanford safety Ed Reynolds, picked in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively, should help fortify the back end of the defense. The most curious decision the Eagles made may have involved their top choice Marcus Smith, who was selected after Philadelphia traded down four spots in the first round. Taking Smith as early as they did was considered by some draft experts as a reach even though he had 14 ½ sacks during his last season at Louisville. If Smith lives up to expectations, the Eagles’ haul could be a good one.

Rd., pk., player

Pos.

College

1 (26) Marcus Smith

LB

Louisville

2 (42) Jordan Matthews

WR

Vanderbilt

3 (86) Josh Huff

WR

Oregon

4 (101) Jaylen Watkins

CB

Florida

5 (141) Taylor Hart

DE

Oregon

5 (162) Ed Reynolds

FS

Stanford

7 (224) Beau Allen

DT

Wisconsin

New York Giants: C+

The tallest wideout on the Giants’ roster is 6-3. His name is Kris Adams and he’s played three games in the NFL. So what to the Giants do? They use their first-round choice, the 12th overall pick, to take 5-11 LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham may become a solid pro. But he seems to be the same type of player as the 6-0 Victor Cruz. If the Giants were going to draft a receiver that high, they may have been better off seeking one with different size and skill-set. The Beckham pick was a curious one.

But the Giants made up for it later. They took Weston Richburg, a center who should strengthen a leaky line and be a walk-in starter.

They also grabbed Andre Williams of Boston College, a prolific runner who should improve a ground attack ranked 29th in rushing last season. Later, they picked up Devon Kennard of USC. It’s hard to tell what position Kennard will play. He was a defensive end, and both a middle and outside linebacker in college. But he could help a defense that was weak in the middle and up front last season. Richburg, Williams and Kennard were sensible choices for a team that went wild in free agency, picking up a bunch of players that transformed the roster. The draft picks should complement the veteran additions, but it’s not clear whether the Giants did enough to become playoff contender this season.

Rd., pk., player

Pos.

College

1 (12) Odell Beckham

WR

LSU

2 (43) Weston Richburg

C

Colorado St.

3 (74) Jay Bromley

DT

Syracuse

4 (113) Andre Williams

RB

Boston Col.

5 (152) Nat Berhe

SS

San Diego St.

5 (174) Devon Kennard

OLB

USC

6 (187) Bennett Jackson

CB

Notre Dame

Washington Redskins: B

A team that finished 3-13 last season and underwent a coaching change was also forced to enter this draft without a first-round pick. That choice was shipped off to St. Louis in the 2012 trade that allowed Washington to grab quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Despite sitting on the sideline Thursday, Washington was able to get some high-quality talent with the rest of its choices. A trade in the second round with the Cowboys netted the Redskins an additional third-round pick. It was considered a good deal for Washington, which used that choice to improve their shaky offensive line by adding Spencer Long of Nebraska. Long and the mammoth Morgan Moses should contribute immediately. Before Moses was selected, the Redskins had only three tackles on their roster. Moses, who was projected to be selected in the first round by some prognosticators, should compete with Tyler Polumbus for a starting spot.

Outside linebacker Trent Murphy of Stanford, the team’s second-round pick, was a productive player in college and has similar traits as Ryan Kerrigan. That he has already been schooled in the 3-4 should help as he learns defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s pressure packages. With Brian Orakpo pegged with the franchise tag, Murphy gives Washington some insurance if the Texas-Ex leaves via free agency next year.

Taking a flyer on Baylor’s Lache Seastrunk wasn’t a bad move. But he made only nine catches his last two seasons, and it’s uncertain how he would perform as a third-down back. These concerns can be addressed later, however.

Right now, the Redskins appear to have put together a decent draft class.

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